On Saturday, Mase and I set up the Roku box* that arrived last week.
Even for me, the electronically challenged, I was able to connect the box and get it going within minutes.
I knew it streamed Netflix to my tv, but had no idea I could buy movies on Amazon Video, access the stations on my Pandora account, and get channels from a few other web networks. Unfortunately the box can’t play all of the movies Netflix has avaialbe; only 140 are at your fingertips on the “Instant Queue.” The selection is mediocre, but you’re sure to find something that isn’t in your DVD library.
Like Heros! The Netflix queue has the entire first season. Mase and I have never seen the show everyone raves about so it was the obvious choice. We planned on watching a couple of episodes, but if you’ve ever seen Heros, you know it can be addictive. So one episode led to another….and we passed out after 6…..
The next morning I was ready to take Mason out for a walk, press some coffee, turn on Meet The Press, but he gave me the eye that said, “I ain’t movin’ until we finish Episode 6.”
So he got his way, then I had mine.
A lovely, lazy weekend over here. Hope you enjoyed yours.
More to come on the Roku box after I explore other channels.
(*Full Disclosure: Roku sent over a test box that I will return after I’ve written a review.)
I can’t stand aprons with silly sayings, ruffles, or made of solid stiff fabrics. If I’m having guests over for dinner or even if I’m just sauteing some veggies for myself, it’s still more fun to throw on something nice.
Introducing a new line of aprons for cooks who like to look cute while the work. Butterfly strings aprons are a patchwork construction of vintage fabrics my friend Amy finds from all over. Which means no two are alike (You know I love being unique!) She says,
“everything we do is based on the philosophy that it is better to reduce and reuse that which is already in our hands and on the earth rather than stressing the earth’s resources to create new materials.”
The design is simple and functional with three big pockets at the bottom.
The designer, Amy McFarren, is one of my closest friends. She’s always had a flare for fashion and a domestic sensibility. Not to mention, she’s sweeter than a sugar cookie. (Amy is going to be a wonderful mother.) So this line is the perfect realization of all things Amy.
See the available styles ($45) at her etsy store or email her to create your own! (That’s the best thing about knowing the designer – which you do now. You say I want it this way and voila.)
I talk a lot about incorporating more fruits and veggies into our diet. There really is no better way than to do so than in its natural form. But simply cutting up a bell pepper for a snack can get a little boring. And having a raw meal delivered to your door on a regular basis is a bit ridiculous.
Rarely do I get excited about cookbooks. Usually they are filled with recipes that take hours to prepare composed of ingredients I don’t recognize.
So you can understand how a book of RAW recipes for SNACKS fits the bill for me!
Raw Energy gives you 124 options to change it up! Plus, when you make the bars/balls/bites yourself, you know exactly what’s in them and can rest assured they haven’t come in contact with any form of “processing.”
The book offers you recipes on how to not only make raw ingredients more interesting, but also harness specific qualities about how each energize you. Author Stephanie Tourles provides you with a very simple breakdown of the digestive system and a nugget about each fruit, veggie, and nut so you have a better understanding of how they can be useful to you. If you don’t want to take her word for it, she quotes several other experts in the field. It’s the best 101 I’ve seen on nutrition in a while.
After reading Nutritionista’s post on roasting, it occurred to me not everyone has an adequate oven. I’ve lived in apartments where I actually used mine to store pots and pans (not shoes!) because it was completely worthless.
If you have the same issues, check out the Breville Smart Oven (on sale for $250) that will not only remedy your problem, but also takes all of the guess work out of determining cooking time and temperature. Great feature for a novice like me!
Readers are always asking me for tips on working out if they can’t go to the gym. Well, here’s one of the best referrals I can give you.
One of NY’s famed toning studios, made famous by Kelly Ripa’s ripped arms and abs, now has a DVD collection!
There aren’t many workouts that will leave me sore, but these pilates, ballet, and calisthenic tiny movement have me cringing with every move for several days. In other words, this shit works!
The girls at Vital Juice have taken both the classes in person and from the DVD. Here’s what they had to say:
After 30 seconds of an intense abs series, we wanted to cry and give up. Luckily, DVD instructor and Physique 57 founder Tanya Becker’s good-humored quips made us laugh—and kept us going.
And even though our arms and abs were sore the next day, we couldn’t wait to do it all over again.
Apparently instructor Tanya (“the” teacher to have in NYC and the Hamptons) is on the videos so your home experience is just like the studio.
